A tumultuous act of violence unsettled Haines City yesterday when Jervin Omar Mendieta Romero, a 40-year-old man, allegedly shot his ex-partner's new boyfriend multiple times during what police describe as a domestic incident. According to the WFLA report, the confrontation resulted not only in serious injuries to the victim but also in Mendieta Romero blasting off his own finger in the process.
The Haines City Police Department responded to a 911 call from the Tennessee Street residence around 5:45 p.m., finding a 42-year-old Hispanic male with gunshot wounds. The man was subsequently hospitalized with injuries to his hand, chest, and shoulder, along with a grazed head wound, and is expected to recover. As detailed by the department's Facebook post, medical responders acted quickly, stabilizing the victim for transport for further care.
Following the shooting, a multi-agency search ensued, leading to Mendieta Romero's apprehension. A K-9 unit from the Polk County Sheriff's Office located him hiding in a copse of trees roughly a mile from the crime scene. Upon arrest, his injured hand was evident, necessitating medical treatment. WTSP's article notes that police later confirmed Mendieta Romero's unlawful status in the United States; the suspect is a Honduran national.
Mendieta Romero faces multiple charges including attempted first-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery. Prior to the incident, the suspect had reportedly been sending threatening messages to his ex-partner, some of which included images of himself holding a firearm. Despite these threats, records revealed no prior reports to authorities before the shooting. Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck emphasized the importance of reporting threats especially in domestic situations, stating, "Reporting threats, especially in domestic situations, is crucial to preventing violence and saving lives," in an account obtained by the WFLA.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and updates are expected as more details come to light regarding this harrowing episode. The female involved in the incident was reported to be unharmed.
